Direct reading projection clock apparatus



Sept. 22, 1953 I F. J. QUINN ,6

DIRECT READING PROJECTION CLOCKAPPARA'IUS Filed Nov. 7, 1950 2 Sheefs-Shet 1 A attorney Sept. 22, 1953 F. J. QUINN DIRECT READING PROJECTIONCLOCK APPARATUS Filed NOV. '7, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 3nnentor Fem/c1; ,1. Qumw Hf; attorney strips.

Patented Sept. 22, 1953 DIRECT READING PROJECTION CLOCK APPARATUS Francis J. Quinn, Upper Darby, Pa.

Application November 7, 1950', Serial No. 194,402

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a projection clock and is concerned primarily with a clock of this type which is peculiarly adapted to convey an advertising. message along with the indication of time.

At the presenttime proprietors of certain mercantile establishments utilize clocks which convey to the public an indication of the correct time. The advertising effect of such practice is somewhat indirect, and this invention has in view as an' important objective the provision of a proj'ection clock which is peculiarly adapted to convey' an advertising message with each indication of. time.

Another highly important object of the inventionis. the provision of a projection clock of a new and improved type. More in detail, the invention has in mind the provision of a projection clock which includes as a characteristic feature two endless strips of film, together with appropriate actuating mechanism therefor. One of these film strips carries the hourly designations, while the other is marked off to give the minute designations. The two strips pass through a single. picture framing device and the image which is. projected therefrom is a composite result of the two films.. Thus, the mechanism of the clock itself is highly simplified and its operation rendered sure and certain. In accordance with this invention either one or both of these film strips may carry an advertising message along with each time indication.

Another highly important object of the invention is to provide, in a projection clock of the type indicated, new and improved actuatingmechanism for the film strips. Such mechanism consists essentially of a driving sprocket for. each film strip. Drivably connected to each sprocket is a ratchet, and associated with each ratchet is a drive wheel having a pawl cooperating with the ratchet teeth. A solenoid is provided for each drive wheel and the solenoids are mounted with their plungers in vertical position. Each plunger is connected to its respective drive wheel by a link. When the plunger is energized the drive wheel is moved a predetermined angular di tance to drive the ratchet and sprocket associ ated, therewith, thus moving the respective film- When the solenoid is deenergized the plungers fall under gravity action and return the drive wheels to their initial position, during which movement the pawls freely ride over the ratchet vice for energizing'the' respective solenoids at appropriate intervals. The cam device consists essentially of a cam having cam elements on its periphery for the minute film strip and another cam element on its face for thehour strip. This cam is driven from a self-starting synchronous motor of a type well known in the clock art, through a gear reduction unit.

An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that the cam, gear reduction unit and synchronous motor may be assembled as an individual unit which may be either included as a part of the projection unit or removed therefrom. With thelatter arrangement the cam unit may be located at a:p1ace where itis-conveniently accessible, with the projection unit itself located in a more remote position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide, in a projection clock of the type indicated, a cam assembly for energizing the solenoid which includes individualv manually operable switches which may be operated to close the circuit to either of the solenoids at the will of the operator and entirely independent of the operation of the timing motor. With this arrangement, the clock maybe accurately set as to time, and on those occasions when the film strips are employed to carry advertising messages alone without the time readings, the switches may be operated to change the advertising message that is projected, at the will of theoperator.

Still another somewhat more detailed object of the invention is to provide, in a projection clock of the character indicated, simplified means for maintaining the film strips under the required degree of tension. In carrying out this idea, the film strips are mounted in a vertical position, one within the other. Each film strip passes over a driving sprocket, a fixed pulley that is positioned above the picture frame, and a movable pulley below the picture frame. Each movable pulley is appropriately guided and is either suitably weighted or spring-biased to take up tension in the respective film strip.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted ideas in a practical embodiment, will in part become apparent and in part be hereinafter stated as the description of the invention proceeds.

The invention therefore comprises a direct reading projection clock which consists essentially of conventional projection apparatus, together with two. vertically positioned film strips which pass through a common picture frame between the lens and lamp of the projection apparatus. One of these film strips carries hourly designations, while the other carries minute designations. Either or both of the film strips carry an advertising message. Movable rollers are suitably biased to take up tension in the film strips, and the latter are driven by sprocket wheels which are in turn actuated by the plungers of vertically positioned solenoids. The solenoids are energized through the medium of microswitches which are closed by a cam that is driven from a synchronous timing motor or by manually operable switches at the will of an operator.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a direct reading projection clock which is designed in accordance with the precepts of this invention with a side panel removed and with certain parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation looking in the direction opposite from that from which Figure 1 is taken;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken about on the plane represented by the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a detailed showing, partly in section and partly in elevation, taken about on the plane represented by the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of one of the solenoids, drive wheel and ratchet associated therewith, and represents the cam and associated instrumentalities diagrammatically; and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuits to the solenoids and cam associated therewith.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts, and first more particularly to Figure 3, the clock of this invention is shown as comprising certain projection apparatus, film strips and actuating mechanism therefor which are mounted on a base plate l0. Upstanding from th base plate I0 is a central casing panel H which may be secured to the base plate in any preferred manner, such as by feet l2 which are secured to the base plate by screws l3.

Also carried by the base plate is a casing made up of a side wall l4, an inclined top wall I5, a short end wall [6, and a long end wall l1. This casing, together with the panel I I, defines a chamber I8 which receives a fan such as represented at 19 in Figure 2, for air circulation purposes. The end wall 16 is formed with an air intake opening 20, while the panel II is formed with an opening at 2| through which air is exhausted from the chamber l8. A detailed construction of the fan I9 is not herein described nor illustrated in detail. Fans of this type are well known as such and ordinarily include an electric motor for driving purposes.

Carried by the side wall 14 is a lamp base 22 which may be secured thereto in any preferred manner such as by the screws indicated at 23. This lamp base 22 carries a lamp 24 which extends through the opening 2| to the other side of the panel I I. The lamp 24 is an electric lamp as is well known in this art and is energized by wires shown at 25. The motor for the fan l8 receives current from wires shown at 26 in Figure 2 and both of these circuits are controlled by a common switch represented at 21. When this switch 21 is moved to circuit closing position the lamp 24 is illuminated and the fan l9 started into operation.

A main casing made up of a top wall 28, a front end wall 29, and a rear end wall 30, is anchored to the face of the panel ll opposite to the chamber I8. This anchorage may be achieved in any preferred manner, such as by the flanges and screw fastening elements indicated at 3|. This casing 28, 29, 30 carries on its outer free edge a plurality of inwardly turned tabs 32. A side casing wall 33 is removably secured to the casing by screw fastenings 34 and the tabs 32.

A lamp housing 35 has a reduced end 36 which is received in an opening in the casing wall 33. This lamp housing 35 encompasses the lamp 24 with the cylindrical wall of the lamp housing in spaced relation to the lamp. It carries outwardly extending tabs 31 which are secured to the panel II with screws 38 and which serve to secure the lamp housing in position. The lamp housing 35 is formed with a light passage at 39 which confronts the front wall 29.

The front wall 29 carries an appropriate optical device or lens represented at 40. Optical devices of this type are well known in the light projection art and need not be described in detail. The optical device 40 is in alignment with the light passage 39. A picture frame 4|, such as is well known in the projection art, is supported by a bracket 42 from the inner face of the front wall 29 and is interposed between the light passage 39 and lens 40. The film strips, about to be described, pass through this picture frame 4|. The image which is projected from the lens 40 is the composite result of what appears on these film strips in the frame 4|.

The minute film strip is designated 43. It is an endless strip of film which passes over a driving sprocket 44, a fixed outer idler pulley 45, and a movable idler pulley 46. An hourly film strip 41 passes over a driving sprocket 48, a fixed idler pulley 43 and a movable idler pulley 50. The portions of the film strips 43 and 41 passing between the lens 40 and the lamp 24 and passing through the picture frame 4| are arranged in aligned parallel spaced relation with respect to each other and the said portion of the film strip 41 being directly in back of the said portion of the film strip 43.

The idler pulleys 45 and 49 are freely journaled on shafts 5| and 52 which are carried by the panel H. The movable pulleys 45 and carry reduced ends 53 which are received in tracks defined by channel members 54 which upstand from the base plate l0. These pulleys 4B and 55 are appropriately weighted so that their movement in the tracks of the channel members provides tension in the film strips 43 and 41 and serves to take up slack therein. Obviously, these pulleys might just as well be spring biased instead of functioning under gravity action.

The mounting of thedriving sprockets 44 and 48 is substantially alike and one of these mountings is shown in detail in Figure 4. Thus, the sprocket 48 is shown as drivably carried by a shaft 55. This shaft 55 is journaled in a bearing 56 that is carried by the panel II and projects from the opposite sides thereof. The shaft 55 projects beyond the bearing 56, and drivably connected to this projecting portion in any preferred manner, such as by being keyed thereto or through the medium of a set screw which is received in a passage 51, is a ratchet wheel 58. The shaft 55 terminates in a reduced end portion 59 which rotatably carries a drive wheel 60.

Pivotally mounted on theinner face of this drive wheel 60 is a pawl 6|, the point of which coop erates with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 58. Also pivotally connected to the inner face of. the

drive wheel 60, as indicated at 62, is a link 63,

solenoids the plunger 64 is drawn upwardly,

exerting a pull on the link 63. This. imparts a counter-clockwise rotation to the drive Wheel 60 (speaking with reference to the showing of Figure which, through the pawl 6|, is transmitted to the ratchet wheel 58 and from the latter to the shaft 55 to drive the sprocket 44 (or 48, as the case may be) a predetermined distance. When the solenoid is deenergized the plunger 64 falls under gravity action to retract the drive wheel 66. by rotating it in a clockwise direction the same distance it had been moved in the counterclockwisedirection.

A microswitch for the solenoid 65 is represented diagrammatically at 61 in Figure 6, while another microswitch for the solenoid 66 is represented diagrammatically at 68. The microswitch 6,1 includes an actuating arm 68, while the microswitch 68 includes a similar actuating arm 16. A circular cam 1| is rotatably mounted on its axis 12 and is formed with a plurality of cam elements 13 on its periphery, each of which is adapted for cooperation with the arm 69 to close the microswitch 61. Another cam element 14 projects from one face of the cam 1| and is adapted to cooperate with the arm to close the circuit to the switch 68.

As represented diagrammatically in Figure 5, the cam 1| is rotatably mounted in a casing 15. This casing also includes a gear reduction unit 16 which is drivably connected to the cam 11 and a self-starting synchronous motor 11, which is drivably connected to the gear .reduction unit 16. This motor 11 is one commonly employed in electric clocks and is well known as such. It is intended to be running all the time that the clock is in. use.

The power lines for the solenoids 6'5 and 66 are /represented diagrammatically in Figure 6 and designated 18 and 19. The line 18 is connected by a line 80 to the coil of the solenoid 66. Another line 8| leads from the other end of the coil back to two parallel branches 8'2 and 83. Both of these branches 8'2 and 83 connect to the power,

While the operation of the direct reading clock above described is believed to be obvious from the description of the parts given, it may be briefly outlined as follows:

It will be assumed that the film strip 43 carrice the minute designations of time, together with any advertising messages which are appropriate for the business of the particular user of theclock. Likewise, thefilm strip 41 carries the hourly designations, together with any appropriate advertisement. Both of these film strips pass through the picture frame 4| so that light from the lamp 24 passes through the picture frame and film therein to project a composite image onto an appropriate screen through the medium of the lens 40. The lamp 24 is continuously illuminated and the fan I9 is continuously driven. The synchronous motor 11 is also in continuous operation. Upon the elapse of a minute one of the cam elements 13 afiects the arm 69 to close the microswtich 6,1. This completes the circuit to the solenoid 65 and energizes the solenoid to draw the plunger 64 upwardly and, through the driving connections of link 63, drive wheel 60,. pawl 6|, ratchet wheel 58, and drive shaft 55, the sprocket 44 is driven a required distance to move the film strip 43 the distance. of one frame or section thereon. Immediately the solenoid. is deenergized the plunger 64 falls downwardly and the drive wheel 60 is retracted under gravity action the angular distance it has just been moved. During this movement the pawl 6| rides freely over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 58. This operation is repeated for each minute interval. After the elapse of an hour the cam element 14 engages the arm 10 to close the microswitch 68 and energize the solenoid 66 in exactl the same manner to move the film strip 41 a distance of one frame thereon.

On such occasions as. power failure, the synchronous motor 11 will of course stop. This means that there will be times when it isnecessary to set the clock. This may be accomplished through the actuation of the manually operable switches 84 and 89.

Should it be desired to use the mechanism above described for purposes other than time projection purposes, all that is required is to replace the film strips 43 and 41 with other strips carrying messages or data or other intelligible matter which it is desired to project as stil1 pictures. For such use the synchronous motor 11 is not employed, and the operation uses the switches 84 and 86 to change the projected pictures at his volition.

It is important to note that the unit included in the casing 15 may be either mounted on an extension of the base plate I0 to assemble the entire apparatus as a single compact unit or it may be separated therefrom. Thus, the apparatus which is carriedby the base plate l0 may be supported in a position where it is not immediately accessible while the casing 15 is located in a position where'it may be conveniently reached by an operator for actuationv of the switches 84 and 89.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions, mechanisms and devices illustrated and described because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a direct reading projection clock, a supporting casing, a lens carried by said casing, a lamp within said casing, a picture frame between said lens and lamp, an endless film strip mounted in said casing for movement over a continuous path and carrying hourly designations, a second endless strip mounted for movement in said casing over a continuous path and.

carrying minute designations, both of said film strips passing through said picture frame in overlapping relation, actuating mechanisms for each of said film strips for moving said film strips with a step by step motion, and timing means for causing said actuating mechanism to operate at appropriate intervals.

2. In a direct reading projection clock, a casing, a lens carried by said casing, a lamp within said casing, a picture frame between said lens and lamp, an endless film strip mounted on a fixed idler pulley and carrying minute designations, a movable idler pulley and a driving sprocket within said casin a second endless film strip mounted in said casing within said first endless film strip on a fixed idler pulley and carrying hourly designations, a movable idler pulley and a driving sprocket, both of said film strips passing through said picture frame in overlapping relation, actuating means for each of said driving sprockets for moving said sprockets with a step by step motion, and a timing motor for causing operation of said actuating means at prescribed intervals.

3. In a direct reading projection clock, a casing, a lens carried by said casing, a lamp within said casing, a picture frame between said lens and lamp, an endless film strip mounted on a fixed idler pulley and carrying minute designations, a movable idler pulley and a driving sprocket within said casing, a second endless film strip mounted in said casing within said first endless film strip on a fixed idler pulley and carrying hourly designations, a movable idler pulley and a driving sprocket, both of said film strips passing through said picture frame, actuating means for each of said driving sprockets for moving said sprockets with a step by step motion, a timing motor for causing operation of said actuating means at prescribed intervals, and guides mounting said movable rollers whereby they move under their own weight to take up slack in said film strips.

4. In projection apparatus including a pair of endless film strips passing through a common picture frame, a driving sprocket for each film strip, a pair of solenoids, there being a solenoid for each driving sprocket with, each solenoid having a plunger, operating connections between each plunger and the respective sprocket, a microswitch for each solenoid having an operating arm, a circular cam having cam elements on its periphery for engaging the arm of one switch and a cam element on one face for engaging the arm of the other switch, a timing motor for driving said cam, and manually operable means for closing the circuit to each of said solenoids independently of said microswitches.

5. In a direct reading projection clock including a pair of endless film strips adapted to pass through a common picture frame, each of said film strips being provided with a time designation and an advertising message to be projected, a driving sprocket for each film strip, a drive shaft carrying each sprocket, a ratchet wheel drivably connected to each drive shaft, a drive wheel rotatably mounted on each drive shaft, a pawl carried by each drive wheel in operative engagement with the teeth of the respective ratchet wheel, a pair of vertically arranged solenoids each having a plunger adapted to fall under gravity action, a link connecting each of said drive wheels to one of said plungers, and means for energizing each of said solenoids at prescribed intervals.

'6/ In a directreading projection clock including a pair of endless film strips adapted to pass through a common picture frame, each of said film strips being provided with a time designation and an advertising message to be projected, a driving sprocket for each film strip, a, drive shaft carrying each sprocket, a ratchet wheel drivably connected to each drive shaft, a drive wheel rotatably mounted on each drive shaft, a pawl carried by each drive wheel in operative engagement with the teeth of the respective ratchet wheel, a pair of vertically arranged solenoids each having a plunger adapted to fall under gravity action, a link connecting each of said drive wheels to one of said plungers, a microswitch included in the circuit for each solenoid, a circular cam having cam elements for closing said microswitches, and a timing motor for actuating said cam.

'7. In a direct reading projection clock including a pair of endless film strips adapted to pass through a common picture frame, each of said film strips being provided with a time designation and an advertising message to be projected, a driving sprocket for each film strip, a drive shaft carrying each sprocket, a ratchet wheel drivably connected to each drive shaft, a drive wheel rotatably mounted on each drive shaft, a pawl carried by each drive wheel in operative engagement with the teeth of the respective ratchet wheel, a pair of vertically arranged solenoids each having a plunger adapted to fall under gravity action, a link connecting each of said drive wheels to one of said plungers, a microswitch included in the circuit for each solenoid, each of said microswitches having an operating arm, a circular cam having cam elements on its periphery adapted to engage the arm of one microswitch, and a cam element on one face adapted to engage the arm of the other micro switch, a timing motor for driving said cam, and a manually operable switch in the circuit of each solenoid.

8. Projection apparatus comprising a casing, a lens secured to said casing, a lamp positioned in said casing and supported by said casing, a first film strip movably positioned in said casing between said lens and said lamp, minute designations on said first film strip, a second film strip movably positioned in said casing between said lens and said lamp and arranged in spaced parallel relation with respect to and directly in back of said first film strip, hourly designations on said second film strip, and means for moving said first and second film strips, the portions of said first and second film strips between said lens and said lamp being in alignment and the light from said lamp projecting through both of said portions of said first and second film strips and adapted to project the time in hours and minutes on a screen.

9. Projection apparatus comprising a casing, a lens secured to said casing, a lamp positioned in said casing and supported by said casing, a first endless film strip movably positioned in said casing and adapted to pass between said lens and said lamp, minute designations on said first film strip, a second endless film strip movably positioned in said casing and adapted to pass between said lens and said lamp, hourly designations on said second film strip, and means for moving said first and second film strips, the portions of said first and second film strips passing between said lamp and said lens being in aligned parallelspaced relation and the said portion of said sec- 9 0nd film strip being directly in back of the said portion of said first film strip and the light from said lamp projecting through both of said portions and adapted to project the time in hours and minutes on a screen.

FRANCIS J. QUINN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 10 Name Date Genter May 19, 1914 Genter July 20, 1915 Erskine Jan. 14, 1919 Greene Jan. 20, 1925 Meissner et a1. Apr. 6, 1926 Cloud Apr. 13, 1926 Skilling Dec. 24, 1935 Eitzen May 4, 1937 Teuber June 13, 1944 

